A new type of insulin that turns on and off could help prevent blood sugar levels from dropping too quickly in people with diabetes

It has been reported that a modified insulin that can prevent the rapid drop in blood sugar levels has been demonstrated in laboratory experiments and animal models. paper in nature. This could provide diabetics with a more flexible way to replenish insulin and reduce the rapid drop in blood sugar levels.

Some people with diabetes may need additional insulin injections to control blood sugar levels. Fluctuations in blood sugar levels are difficult to predict, making it difficult to choose the appropriate insulin dose. Even slightly high doses can cause hypoglycemia (blood sugar levels falling too low), which can be life-threatening.

Researchers Rita Slaaby and colleagues have introduced a modified insulin whose activity changes depending on blood glucose levels. The molecule, named NNC2215, has a switch that can open and close in response to glucose. When glucose levels are high, a switch opens and insulin becomes more active, removing glucose from the blood. When glucose levels drop, the switch closes and prevents glucose uptake.

Laboratory experiments showed that NNC2215 insulin receptor affinity increased 3.2-fold as glucose concentration increased from 3 to 20 mM (roughly the range of fluctuations experienced by diabetics), indicating that NNC2215 insulin receptor affinity increased by 3.2-fold in response to changes in blood sugar levels. Possibility to respond has been verified. In rat and pig models of diabetes, NNC2215 proved to be as effective as human insulin in lowering blood sugar. Its increased glucose sensitivity was shown to provide protection against hypoglycemia in these animal subjects.

This modified insulin is expected to prevent rapid drops in blood sugar levels, especially during sleep, which can have serious effects on diabetic patients. The authors note that this may improve both long-term and short-term complications associated with diabetes.